Printing of characters, figures, or numerals of continuous form by the use of stencils



Feb. 26, 1929. 1,703,246

T READ RAG FIGURES FOR THE USE 11 g'. 19. 192

Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

-THOMAS READ, 0F CROYDON, ENGLAND.

PRINTING OF CHARACTERS, FIGURES, 0R NUMERALS OF CONTINUOUS FORM BY THE USE OF STENCILS.

Application filed August 19, 1927, Serial No. 214,176, and in Great Britain September 30, 1926.

This invention relates to the printing of characters, figures or numerals of continuous form by the use of stencils and has for its object to provide an improvement in or modification of the invention described in British specification No. 17 6525.

According to the said specification referred to a character or other desired figure is adapted to be formed in two or more operations and to this end apertures are cut in a stencil plate so as to form a portion only of the device to be printed where blanks would otherwise occur owing to the presence of supporting webs, the complete device being printed by moving the stencil plate horizontally upon a straight edge or guide, thereby ensuring correct registration of the impressions desired.

The present invention consists of an improved form of stencil plate of the kind having individual apertures co-operating to form a complete character when said plate is moved to bring one portion of the character into correct relationship with the other as disclosed in specification No. 176525, wherein one or more of the co-operating apertures in the stencil plate is or are cut in an elongated or distorted manner, so that when for instance two individual apertures are brought into correct register the excess cut-away portion of one aperture is adapted to overlap a portion of the initial impression formed from the other aperture. In this manner there is ensured a final impression which is a true reproduction of a character of continuous form and of regular outline.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example one suitable manner of carrying the invention into effect and wherein Figure 1 is a view showing a stencil plate prepared for the formation of a convenient selection of printing characters,

Figure 2 illustrates various examples of characters formed by the use of the stencil plate shown in Figure 1 including the parts of the characters before assembly,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View illustrating the manner in which the stencil plate is used to form a character in two operations.

Referring now to these drawings, a designates in general thecut apertures in a single plate I) of celluloid or other suitable material, it being understood that each plate may comprise as many letters as is compatible with its dimensions. The manner in which the stencil plate is moved to obtain the requisite registration of apertures for forming any particular character has been indicated clearly in the aforesaid specification No. 176525 that is to say, the paper or other material 0 (Figure 3) to receive the printed matter is held by a clamp, not shown, against a suitable board, the necessary pressure being applied to the clamp by springs or screws. This clamp which is slidably mounted with respect to the board may be used as a guide for the stencil plates to ensure correct alignment of the characters when printed.

The apertures a in the particular selection of characters shown in Figure 1 are arranged in two rows across the stencil plate 12. Considering those characters which have been selected from Figure 1 for further illustration in Figure 2 in the top row thereof the left hand apertures 1 and 2 constitute the two portions of a capital A. Aperture 3 in conjunction with aperture 4 co-operates to form a capital B. A capital F is formed in a similar manner by'the union of apertures 5 and 6.' Capital 0 is constituted by the two several parts 7 and 8 while capital H is formed by the interposition of aperture 9 between the two vertical strokes 10.

The feature according to the present invention whereby the characters are formed without detection of any discontinuity or irregularity in the general outline of the impression depends upon the fact that whenever one aperture is broughtinto register with respect to another the aperture is so cut or distorted that the particular joining portions merge substantially one Within another. Thus for example in the formation of the character A see Figure 3, the aperture 1 of the stencil plate I) is first of all located in suitable position. An impression of this portion may then be made by means of the application of ink and a brush in the usual manner. This results in the formation of the sectioned portion such as 1 (Figure 3). When however the co-operating aperture 2 is brought into a position appropriate for finishing the character A it will be observed that of the original part 1 there projects an end portion 00 substantially into the thickness of the aperture 2 and at the same time a small portionof the aperture 2 overlaps part of the impression made initially through the aperture 1. When now the final impression is made such as by applyingan inked brush capital B, F and H in Figure 2. p A capital 0 may be formed according to the invention by slightly elongating and tapering the co-operating ends of the apertures 7 and 8 as shown at p, p and q, 9 Figure 2. By this means the distored ends p of aperture 7 may be brought into a position substantially overlapping the similarly distorted end 9 of aperture 8, the same operation taking place simultaneously with respect to the lower portion p and 9, so that a capital O of even outline may be readily formed.

Only two operations are required for the formation of the subdivided examples shown in Figure 2 and the stencil plate itself has been prepared with two rows of characters each row being spaced at the same length respectively from the upper and lower edge of the plate so that when in use it 1s not always necessary to shift the straight edge or guide when it is desired to use both rows of apertures, it being merely necessary to turn round the entire plate when particular sets of apertures required are in diflerent rows. The straight edge or guide thus remains in one position during the completion of a single row of impressions.

What ll claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A stencil plate of the kind having separated individual apertures co-operating to form a complete character, figure or numeral when said plate is moved to bring one porincludes an excess portion arranged to overlap a portion of the impression formed from the corresponding complementary apertures.

2. A stencil plate according to claim 1 formed so that when the co-operating apertures of a character, figure or numeral are brought into correct register the excess cutaway portion of one aperture is adapted to overlap a portion of the initial impression formed from another aperture.

3. A stencil plate of the kind having individual apertures cooperating to form a complete character, figure or numeral, comprising adjacently disposed cut-away apertures having elongated and tapered portions, and means enabling said plate to move horizontally along a guided path whereby the cooperating apertures of a character, figure or numeral are brought into correct register for printing and the excess cut-away elongated and tapered portion of one aperture is adapted to overlap a portion of the initial impression formed from another aperture.

4. A stencil plate of the kind having individual apertures cooperating to form a complete character, figure or numeral, comprising in combination, two rows of adjacently disposed cut-away apertures having elongated and tapered portions, means comprising a straight edge or guide for enabling said plate to move horizontally along a guided path whereby the cooperating apertures of a character, figure or numeral are brought into correct register for printing and the excess cut-away elongated and tapered portion of one aperture is adapted to overlap a portion of the initial impression formed from another aperture.

In witness whereof I atfix my signature.

THOMAS READ. 

